Kidney Diet Tips

Kidney Diet Tips: The Scoop on Chocolate for Valentine’s Day

Imagine you’ve enjoyed a Valentine’s Day dinner with your special someone. In addition to a romantically funny card, your sweetie pulls out a box of chocolates. Do you keep it or pass it on to someone who isn’t concerned about potassium and phosphorus? It may be a hard decision, but if you are more informed about chocolates your decision may be easier to make.

Kidney diets always include chocolate on the limit or avoid list because the potassium and phosphorus in chocolate can add up quickly. If you decide to keep your chocolates, be aware of how much each piece contributes to your daily potassium and phosphorus intake.

Consider these tips:

  • Limit chocolate candy to a 1/2 to 1 ounce serving in a day. If you’re too tempted to eat more, it’s probably better to re-gift the chocolates.
  • Select dark chocolate-it has more heart protecting flavonoids, and the phosphorus is lower compared to milk chocolate.
  • Give the chocolate covered nuts and chocolate covered dried fruit away—too much phosphorus and potassium in a small serving and it’s tempting to eat more!
  • Plan a dessert with a small portion of chocolate chips or chocolate dessert topping instead of chocolate candy, cake or pie.
  • Chocolate covered candies are lower in potassium and phosphorus than solid chocolates. Compare your favorite chocolates on the chart below.

Chocolate

Portion

Potassium

Phosphorus

Easy Low Phosphorus Fudge 1 pc (3”x1-1/2”)

48

20

Chocolate coated caramels 2 pc (1 oz)

35

17

Chocolate covered coconut 2 pc (1 oz)

47

22

Chocolate covered mints 8 pc (1 oz)

54

18

Chocolate covered vanilla creams 2 pc (1 oz)

50

31

Chocolate truffles, Godiva 2 pc (1 oz)

90

52

Chocolate caramel pecan turtles 2 pc (1 oz)

104

62

Chocolate kiss, Hershey’s 6 pc (1 oz)

117

89

Chocolate covered almonds 7 pc (1 oz)

133

97

Chocolate covered peanuts 2-1/2 tablespoons (1 oz)

125

53

Chocolate covered raisins 2 tablespoons

146

41

Chocolate fudge dessert topping 1 tablespoon

45

30

Chocolate flavored syrup 1 tablespoon

34

26

Chocolate chips, semi-sweet 1/4 cup

128

45

Chocolate chips, milk chocolate 1/4 cup

136

116

Chocolate cake with chocolate icing 1 piece (3 oz)

145

123

Chocolate cake with white icing 1 piece (3 oz)

102

98

Chocolate cupcake with choc icing 2-1/2” diameter

88

43

Chocolate meringue pie 1/6th of a 9” pie

211

149

Fabulous Hot Cocoa 1 cup

82

40

Berries and cherries are also popular desserts for Valentine’s Day. Find your favorites in the DaVita Valentine’s Day recipe collection.

 

Additional Kidney Diet Resources

Visit DaVita.com and explore these diet and nutrition resources:

DaVita Food Analyzer

DaVita Dining Out Guides

Today’s Kidney Diet Cookbooks

DaVita Kidney-Friendly Recipes

Diet and Nutrition Articles                                                      

Diet and Nutrition Videos

Kidney Smart® Virtual Classes

This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment. Consult your physician and dietitian regarding your specific diagnosis, treatment, diet and health questions.

Sara Colman, RDN, CDCES

Sara Colman, RDN, CDCES

Sara is a renal dietitian with over 30 years experience working with people with diabetes and kidney disease. She is co-author of the popular kidney cookbook "Cooking for David: A Culinary Dialysis Cookbook". Sara is the Manager of Kidney Care Nutrition for DaVita. She analyzes recipes and creates content, resources and tools for the kidney community. In her spare time Sara loves to spend time with her young grandson, including fun times together in her kitchen.